When Christian Slater’s TV series, My Own Worst Enemy, was cancelled last year it seemed a bit unlikely that the actor would return to the medium any time soon. Some film stars have made the journey to television in the past and, when the shows failed, they haven’t been too quick to return. But Slater hopped right back into the fray and has a new show for ABC, the forgotten. So, will this one stick around longer than the last one?
the forgotten revolves around a group of dedicated civilians that form The Forgotten Network. Led by Alex Donovan (Slater), the team donates its time to identify unrecognizable murder victims, trying to “give back the name of the deceased.” The show also stars Michelle Borth, Heather Stephens, Bob Stephenson, Anthony Carrigan, and Rochelle Aytes.
With a title that just invites snarky headlines, forgotten was skewered by many critics before the show even debuted. By and large, most viewers weren’t all that impressed either.
The series debuted on September 22nd to a decent 9.53 million viewers and a 2.6/7 rating/share among adults 18-49. While those numbers seem pretty good, upon closer examination, they aren’t all that positive.
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the forgotten’s lead-in, the very popular Dancing with the Stars, scored 16.28 million and a 3.9/10 in its last half hour. The first half hour of forgotten attracted only 10.14 million and a 2.7/7. That means that the Slater drama lost over 40% of its total lead-in audience and 33% in the demographic. What’s more, 12% of people who started watching forgotten turned it off half way through the premiere. That’s a sure sign that those people wouldn’t be back the next week.
And they didn’t return. In week two, the forgotten’s numbers dropped by more than 1.8 million viewers to 7.72 million. In the all-important demographic, the show’s ratings dropped from a 2.6/7 to a 2.0/5, a loss of 23%.
As of last night, things seem to have evened off a bit. For week three, forgotten attracted 7.81 million viewers and a 2.0/6. Though it’s positive that the ratings didn’t drop for a second time, these numbers are not healthy. forgotten ranked in a distant second place for total viewers (beating the under-performing Jay Leno Show) and third place for the demo (almost tying Leno).
Unless these numbers turn around, the forgotten’s days on the schedule are certainly numbered. ABC ordered 13 episodes to start and could pull the show or prematurely cut production. But, even if all 13 are finished and aired, it’s highly unlikely that ABC will order any more.
What do you think? Is this show worth watching or is it best left forgotten (sorry, too hard to resist)? Would you cancel it or keep it?
Heart broken, keep the show
Its a feel good type of show. My wife and I watched every episode. Better than all the T and A shows put together
I loved the show and the entire ensemble cast. The storyline was based on true happenings. It was told from a unique point of view, using the victims to tell their own stories. I would love to see it return.
you tv networks are on air 24/7 now & they’re are more & tv shows only produce so many sitcoms. So why can’t networks have all shows on & not so many reruns. Like right now CSI,Criminal Minds, CSI:MIAMI all of these shows are reruns. Play shows that we all want to see – not reality tv!!!!!!!!!!
This show is great they always cancel the good ones give it a chance
This is a very touching show and in my opinion, the best role Christian Slater has ever played in. I absolutely love this show & will be greatly saddened if it does not return. Why are all the good shows canceled…so the network can put more “reality” garbage on? I hope ABC will re-consider!
Please dont cancel this show…I love it..! my daughter and i get on the phone and watch it together..we both love Christian Slater and the characters on the show are fabulous, and I love the storyline, different from your normal criminal type shows…Please, dont …!
KEEP THE SHOW!!!!!!!!!, you’d be crazy to cancel it.
Love the show!!! Keep it!!!
One more thing, if they do take it of please pretty please do some TV movies with the same cast. 🙂
I highly agree!!
I don`t watch a lot of series mostly educational shows, but when my wife had me watch this with her I thought it was interesting and kept you curious throughout the entire show. I don`t understand why the networks have to keep canceling good series after a short run. Why not try another time slot or a different day, why alway throw in the towel and let down the viewers that are always there.
This show is one of the best shows that I have seen on T.V. for a long time, everytime they get a good series some buracrat decides the rartings aren`t high enough. Why don`t you care about the faithful followers that never miss a show. If the network would put more time into developing good shows like this and try to keep them on the air instead of all of the stupid reality crap ratings would be a lot better. It`s not the show thats having trouble maybe it`s the time slot, why not try another time slot and watch… Read more »
I love the show. It’s one of the show’s that my dad watches every night that he takes over the TV that I actually like. It’s inspiring to watch the show and makes me want to be more aware of my surroundings and to pay more attention to the missings signs. I’m sure people often overlook them in walmart and other places but I heard a story somwhere about how a waitress helped police return a little girl who was kidnapped to her parents because she had seen the sign in the restaraunt where she worked, recognized her and acted… Read more »
I totally agree, B. Thomas. Everyone I know watches this show and loves it. Makes me wonder where they’re getting their ratings from or if they’d made up their mind a while back before even giving the show a chance to cancel it anyway. There’s so little good to watch these days. The Forgotten was a show I couldn’t wait to see every week. Wonder if there’s any way to change their minds about canceling it.
I can’t believe they would cancel this excellent show… so MANY of them I don’t even waste the time watching, but THIS one is superb!!!!!!! I think the folks running the TV networks don’t have both oars in the water.